Also out of the labs this month is Google's personalised search, which, alongside a bespoke homepage which can be built to your own personal needs, also offers more personalised searching, remembering what you have previously looked for and selecting things it thinks you want to see.

While it may seem as if Google has its fingers in many pies at the moment, all its products are interlinked, said Ms Twohill.

"It all comes back to our core DNA of search," she said.

As well as moving into a physical space, Google is also likely to make a play for our pockets too, with Ms Twohill earmarking mobile - alongside personalisation - as important areas for the firm in the future.

Google's ever-expanding product portfolio has led some commentators to question whether it is making a bid to be the next Microsoft.

According to Ms Twohill, its ambitions are more modest.

"We are still a tenth the size of Microsoft and are not ready to be compared to them," she said.

It is true though that Microsoft is increasingly vying for a share of the search market and this can only be a good thing, she thinks.

"A space like search needs two or three key players. While search is not Microsoft's heritage, if it sets its mind to something it will do a good job and grow the space for everyone," she said.